Step Side Bed resto
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New User
Joined: Feb 2011
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Step Side Bed resto
ok im getting ready to redo the org. bed on my 1980 ss and i have some questions.. any and all help is great.. thanks ahead of time. First how many bolts hold the bed to the frame? and is this what holds the wood to the floor? Second i have alot of cherry lumber (rough cut) to replace the wood or is this something left to the pros? will the cherry hold the job as good as the oak kits ive found at mar-k? but very pricey!! 
ok his should get me started it get drug into the shop tomorrow.. thanks again..
ok his should get me started it get drug into the shop tomorrow.. thanks again..
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 295
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From: Vancouver
A 1980 stepside SS? Never heard of it, however, 8 bolts hold the bed to the frame. This is not what holds the wood to the bed. The wood is held to the bed independently by crossmembers bolted to the bedsides and the wood is attached to the crossmembers with bolts through the bed strips. You've checked Mar-K, they have a great diagram of a stepside bed and all it's components. I bought oak from a local lumber yard and cut and milled it from dimensions I got off the net somewhere.
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ohh yeah the ss stands for step side.. no red in my blood!! Yeah im wanna turn into a show veh but its an as i go project and bed was in bad shape so i have to start there.. any idea where i can get the dimensions? yeah thanks to mar-k it helped but wasnt sure of all them bolts or where they were at...so 8 bolts bed and crossmembers all come out?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 295
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From: Vancouver
Actually the dimensions are on mar-k too: www.mar-k.com/bedwooddimensions.pdf this is what I used.
Oh yeah and everything unbolts, crossmembers, bed mount bolts, but I had to cut some of the bolts and replaced everything.
Oh yeah and everything unbolts, crossmembers, bed mount bolts, but I had to cut some of the bolts and replaced everything.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 184
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From: Strasburg, Va.
as a wood worker I can tell you the cherry will look real pretty, however i'ts not nearly as resistent to rot and decay as the oak. red oak is very resistent to rot/moisture, white oak is considered water proof, that's why it is used for wine casks, marine applications, etc.. . when I say red or white oak I'm not talking about color, I mean species. Also, cherry is photo-reactive, meaning it will darken over time from exposure to sunlight. If your looking more for show than usability, either type of wood will be nice (I"m partial to quarter-sawn white oak myself) just make sure you seal it well, especially the end grain to keep from splitting. Spar varnish is the finish I would recommend as it retains some flexibility after curing and will be less prone to crazing (hairline cracks) under the stress of the trucks vibrations.
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hey thanks for all that info!!! im looking more towards an oak bed now just cause id like it to last.. but still going to plane the cherry and see what i got and maybe end up making a console.. but thanks for the info it was great help!!
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New User
Joined: Feb 2011
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whats it worth to you? i have two gates one better then the other but couldnt see 400 for a new one.. there are nice pieces tho.. whats your price? im in central pa so idk about shipping something that size either..
Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 756
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From: central illinois
Good luck on your build. Just a thought here but soak every bolt you can with some form of penetrating oil. The bed sides and fenders are not reproduced. (As far as I know that is.) If a bolt is tough to undo cut it if you can. The "steps" are thin metal and a frozen bolt will tear the metal. I have 2 of these trucks. Both need beds rebuilt badly. As for wood and sealers I'm no help there. I myself haven't done much research yet. This summer I hope to get one done and on the road.
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
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From: Gilbert, PA
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Almost Heaven
Actually guys, I have actually seen a 1985 FlareSide with an SS badge on it. "Super Snake". Had a 9'' rear and a highouput 302.
I came this close to buying the truck.
I still regret not buying it, years later.
I came this close to buying the truck.
I still regret not buying it, years later.